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Game Replay: Second HTC Vive VR headset revealed at CES

updated 11:33 pm EST, Tue January 5, 2016

by MacNN Staff

Gaming news summary for January 5, 2016

Welcome to the Game Replay, the thrice-weekly look at the wider world of gaming by the staff of MacNN. In today's edition, HTC reveals the second generation of the Vive VR headset for developers, Oculus reveals some Kickstarter backers will get the consumer headset for free, the PlayStation 4 sold very well over the holiday season, and the developers of Shenmue 3 will not provide late PayPal backers the same exclusive rewards that Kickstarter backers will receive.

Kickstarter backers who own original Oculus Rift development kit will get free consumer version

Oculus is going to provide some of the earliest backers of the Rift VR headset with get a special edition of the consumer release, when it ships. A notification on the original Oculus Rift Kickstarter page advises that anyone who pledged enough to acquire a Rift development kit during the original crowdfunding effort will get a free Kickstarter Edition of the headset, as "small token" of the Facebook-owned company's appreciation.

According to the post, qualifying backers will receive a new survey from Kickstarter, and need to provide their address in the form before February 1. While the offer stands for those wanting delivery to one of the 20 countries the Rift is launching in, Oculus advises it is "working on an alternative" for those living in other regions. Just like the other paid consumer editions, the backers will get free copies of Lucky's Tale and EVE: Valkyrie, games they have likely already experienced using their existing headsets during the device's development.

"You were there at the beginning of our journey - we couldn't have done it without you. Today marks a new chapter," writes the team in the blog post.

The backer announcement arrives the day before pre-orders for the consumer release are set to begin. A formal release date for the headset, along with an expected shipping date and a price for the device, are still unknown.

HTC adds camera to second-generation Vive Pre developer VR headset

HTC has used CES to show off its second-generation development kit for the Vive VR headset. Teased last month as a "very big technological breakthrough" that forced the headset to be delayed until April, the Vive Pre is being billed as the next step towards a mass-market release, with HTC adding a number of new elements to the device.

The Vive Pre now has a front-facing camera attached to the back of the screen, pointing in the same direction as the wearer is facing. While it will allow wearers to potentially see where they are going without removing the headset, HTC suggests it could be used to incorporate physical elements of the user's surroundings into virtual space, enhancing the experience. There is also the possibility of it being used for augmented reality apps.

Changes have also been made to the Vive's controllers, with updates to the ergonomics, the introduction of softer edges, and new textures on buttons to tell users where they are while visually impaired by the headset. Haptic feedback is being added, as well as dual-stage triggers, and new rechargeable batteries will now offer over four hours of runtime.

The Vive Pre is not necessarily what will reach consumers when it is eventually released, as HTC may decide to make more changes or tweaks to the design before its formal launch.

Some backers of Shenmue 3 will not be receiving the same rewards as those who backed the wildly successful Kickstarter campaign, developer Ys Net has advised. The decision, which affects backers paying through PayPal after the campaign ended, has been made in spite of a vote of Kickstarter backers revealing most were in favor of offering the exclusive rewards to the late backers.

The original campaign raised $6.3 million for the development of the game, but Ys Net offered those late to the effort the chance to add more funds via PayPal, with a similar list of rewards up for grabs. Since Kickstarter backers were told their rewards were to be exclusive, those paying $5 or more were asked if they preferred to allow or deny the exclusive items to PayPal backers.

Out of 15,111 responses to the question, 4,009 voted against the motion, reportsPolygon, with 4,670 advising they were OK with sharing the exclusive rewards, and 6,432 declining to give a preference. Ys Net reasons that, despite the vote being in favor of providing the rewards and what it communicated earlier, the "strong response" to deny the exclusive rewards in the vote has encouraged it to pull access.

The vote itself only covers items that could only be acquired by backing via Kickstarter, such as some limited edition items or appearing in the game in various forms. More generic items, including copies of the final game when it ships in December next year as currently planned, are still available as rewards.

The PlayStation 4 has so far sold over 35.9 million units in just over 25 months of availability, Sony has revealed. Following after a previous announcement of 30 million consoles being shipped, Sony advises that it has managed to shift 5.7 million units during the "holiday season" between November 22 and January 2.

While console sales have been high for the period, Eurogamerreports game sales have also benefited from the holiday shopping period. During the same timeframe, more than 35 million game were bought, both sold via retail and through digital sales. PlayStation Plus subscriptions are up as well, with a year-on-year rise at the end of 2015 of 60 percent.

"We are absolutely delighted that so many customers have selected PS4 as the best place to play throughout this holiday season and that the PS4 community is growing more than ever," said Andrew House, global CEO and president of Sony Computer Entertainment. House goes on to claim Sony remains "steadfast in our commitment to deliver innovative entertainment experiences" from third party developers and its in-house studios "this coming year."

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